PATERSON – The unexplained death of Jameek Lowery and the ensuing public uproar have confronted Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh with a high-profile test of his leadership just seven months into his term, according to community leaders.

Interviews with more than 25 community leaders reveal little consensus in evaluating the mayor’s performance during the past week — reactions ranged from condemnation to caution. Many pointed out that the situation remains fluid because authorities have not yet released autopsy results on the cause of Lowery’s death.

Some said the Lowery situation brought an end to the mayor’s “honeymoon” period and could become a pivotal juncture in his first term, an event that may undermine or reinforce his optimistic effort to be the figurehead for “One Paterson” unity.

Several political observers said the death of an African-American looms all the more crucial for Sayegh because the mayor received extensive support from the city’s black residents during the last election.

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, right, speaks as Governor Phil Murphy, left, looks on during a press conference at the Panther Academy announcing new tech grants that will be coming to Paterson schools on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018.(Photo: Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com)

But the mayor also has come under fire from critics who say he was too slow to speak out about the situation – waiting more than 72 hours after the incident before issuing a statement – and they have accused Sayegh of taking too weak of a stance when he has addressed the public.

The Rev. James Staton, pastor of the Church of God and Saints in Christ in Paterson’s 1st Ward, said the tragedy challenged the city on many levels, not just Sayegh’s leadership.

“Everybody has taken a hit on this,” said Staton, a former councilman and a member of the Cease-Fire community groups. “They’re walking on glass with no shoes on. The whole town is in shock.”

Another supporter of the mayor, Councilman Luis Velez, said the mayor said limited in what he could do because the probe of Lowery’s death is not finished. “As elected officials, we have to be careful about what we say,” said Velez. “Once the case develops, he can say more.”

But the two men who organized community protests about Lowery’s death said Sayegh’s response to the tragedy – which they called inadequate - has exacerbated tensions among Paterson residents.

“In a time of crisis, people look to their mayor for guidance and he’s nowhere to be found,” said activist Corey Teague. “He should be out in front of this. He’s the mayor.”

Teague expressed frustration that Sayegh was attending a swearing-in ceremony for Passaic County freeholders while protesters were rallying outside City Hall on Tuesday night. Teague said that when the mayor did arrive at City Hall, he should have spoken to the crowd instead of going inside to the city council meeting.

Black Lives Matter activists Zellie Thomas said he was disappointed that Sayegh declined to comment in the initial Paterson Press news story on Lowery’s death. Thomas pointed out that Sayegh waited until Tuesday to acknowledge the situation on his Facebook page, despite having a track record of being an avid social media participant.

“It was too late,” said Thomas, who unsuccessfully ran for city council last May. “I think the mayor has mismanaged the situation and taken a number of missteps.”

Sayegh's response

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A man stands in front of police motorcycles during a rally in the wake of the death of Jameek Lowery on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in Paterson. Lowery died two days after going on Facebook Live claiming that someone was out to kill him and asking the Paterson Police Department for help. Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com

People run from Paterson police officers after being maced during a rally calling for justice for Jameek Lowery on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in Paterson. Lowery died two days after going on Facebook Live claiming that someone was out to kill him and asking the Paterson Police Department for help. Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com

Protesters raise their hands as they face Paterson police officers during a rally in reaction to the death of Jameek Lowery on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in Paterson. Lowery died two days after going on Facebook Live claiming that someone was out to kill him and asking the Paterson Police Department for help. Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com

A protester tries to block the camera as people rally for justice for Jameek Lowery on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in Paterson. Lowery died two days after going on Facebook Live claiming that someone was out to kill him and asking the Paterson Police Department for help. Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com

Activists approach Paterson police officers during a rally in reaction to the death of Jameek Lowery on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in Paterson. Lowery died two days after going on Facebook Live claiming that someone was out to kill him and asking the Paterson Police Department for help. Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com

A man approaches the police line with his hands up during a rally for justice for Jameek Lowery on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in Paterson. Lowery died two days after going on Facebook Live claiming that someone was out to kill him and asking the Paterson Police Department for help. Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com

A woman holds a sign for Jameek Lowery during a rally on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in Paterson. Lowery died two days after going on Facebook Live claiming that someone was out to kill him and asking the Paterson Police Department for help. Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com

Men stand on a ledge during a protest at Paterson City Hall in reaction to the death of Jameek Lowery on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in Paterson. Lowery died two days after going on Facebook Live claiming that someone was out to kill him and asking the Paterson Police Department for help. Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com

Protesters hold their hands up in front of Paterson police officers during a rally calling for justice for Jameek Lowery on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in Paterson. Lowery died two days after going on Facebook Live claiming that someone was out to kill him and asking the Paterson Police Department for help. Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com

A man calls for the rally to head back towards Paterson City Hall, in the hopes of getting to speak to Mayor Andre Sayegh on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in Paterson. Jameek Lowery died two days after going on Facebook Live claiming that someone was out to kill him and asking the Paterson Police Department for help. Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com

Police officers approach protesters in front of Paterson City Hall as they rally for justice for Jameek Lowery on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in Paterson. Lowery died two days after going on Facebook Live claiming that someone was out to kill him and asking the Paterson Police Department for help. Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com

A police officer watches the crowd from inside Paterson City Hall as activists call for justice for Jameek Lowery on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in Paterson. Lowery died two days after going on Facebook Live claiming that someone was out to kill him and asking the Paterson Police Department for help. Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com

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Sayegh declined to be interviewed for this story, referring questions to his chief of staff, Kathleen Long.

“I am in middle of managing this situation,” Sayegh said in a text message.

Long said there will be “plenty of time to assess” the administration’s performance after the case gets resolved. “We’re just going to let other people opine on how we’re handling this,” Long said, “because we’re still in the middle of it.”

In response to comments made by Teague and Thomas, Long said the mayor opted to go to the locally-televised council meeting Tuesday night, rather than address the protesters, because he thought that was the “proper forum” to address the issue. Sayegh previous has said he waited three days before issuing a statement because he wanted to know more facts about the case.

Paterson Police Director Jerry Speziale said that among the protesters was man who previously had posted social media death threats against the mayor and is not allowed inside City Hall as a result.

“With that person out there, it would have been reckless to send the mayor outside,” Speziale said.

The police director also cited the turbulence of the protest.

“When you have an unruly mob that’s throwing rocks and spitting on police officers and flipping over barricades, you can’t send the mayor of the City of Paterson out into that,” Speziale said.

The police director dismissed criticisms of Sayegh’s leadership in the aftermath of Lowery’s death, asserting that the mayor has been “transparent and extra accountable.”

Press conference lull

After taking office on July 1, Sayegh held a flurry of press conferences, sometimes more than one per week, events usually trumpeting feel-good announcements about local services. But the mayor has not held a press conference since Dec. 27, the longest lull of his term.

Sayegh’s chief of staff said the lack of recent press conferences was somewhat coincidental because administration officials have been busy working on getting a new class of recruits for the police department and finding ways to resolve the budget crisis. But she also acknowledged that the Lowery case played a role in lack of publicity events.

“The mayor realizes there’s a family that’s hurting,” Long said. “He doesn’t want to distract from the issue at hand.”